Cape Coast Guard Crew Helps Save 31 Canadian Fishermen

NOVA SCOTIA — A U.S. Coast Guard crew from Cape Cod helped rescue 31 Canadian fishermen from a vessel that caught fire and sank about 130 miles off the Nova Scotia coast.

Around 7 p.m., Tuesday, the 143-foot Atlantic Destiny caught fire and began taking on water in high winds and rough seas, Coast Guard officials said.

The Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Nova Scotia received a distress signal and called the Coast Guard’s 1st District Command Center in Boston for help, along with the Canadian Coast Guard and Air Force.

A plane and two helicopters from Air Station Cape Cod in Sandwich came to the rescue while facing 26-foot seas and 35 mph winds, Coast Guard officials said.

The two helicopters from Cape Cod hoisted 21 fishermen from the sinking ship, while a Royal Canadian Air Force helicopter rescued six people. Coast Guard officials said the other fishermen stayed on board to help two Canadian search and rescue technicians drain water from the vessel. They were taken to a Canadian Coast Guard ship the next morning.

"We have a strong connection with our Canadian partners," said Capt. Wes Hester, the 1st Coast Guard District chief of response. "We conduct joint training every year with our partners in Greenwood, and our crew's consistent training, coordinated responses and international partnership saved 31 lives yesterday. That monumental effort is a testament to the hard work and sacrifice of everyone involved."

U.S. Coast Guard officials said all the fishermen were taken to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia for medical assessment. No injuries were reported.

The Atlantic Destiny sank just after 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, just two hours after the last crew members were rescued, according to the Coast Guard.